N° 92 — March 16, 2022
Stay in touch as we celebrate Washington Youth Garden's 50th Anniversary. Enjoy our updates and insights from FONA, the U.S. National Arboretum, and WYG.
New Spring Traffic Plan
The National Arboretum is implementing a temporary traffic plan to keep the grounds safe for drivers, pedestrians, and all visitors during an extremely busy time of the year.

Beginning Thursday, March 17th until mid-May, the number of visitors and vehicles allowed on the National Arboretum grounds at any given time may be limited. During peak visitation, which is generally over the weekend, entry may be delayed for at least 30 minutes. We urge visitors to plan their weekend visit as early in the day as possible or visit on a weekday to avoid crowds and delayed entry.

As of 3/17, the guidelines for visiting the Arboretum are as follows:
  • Hours: 8 AM – 5 PM daily
  • Access: Monday through Thursday after 2 PM and all day Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, cars must enter the Arboretum using the New York Avenue gate (3500 New York Ave, NE). During this time, cars can only use the R Street gate (2400 R Street, NE) to exit the Arboretum.
  • During times of particularly high visitation, the Arboretum’s gates may be temporarily closed to cars for at least 30 minutes at a time. These closures are most likely to occur on weekends; closures are unlikely on weekdays.
  • Pedestrians and bicyclists are not subject to restrictions and may enter and exit, including via the R Street gate, at any time.
  • Traffic Flow: Vehicles will be limited to a single one-way loop with free parking available in one of three parking lots. Cars can also parallel park on the right side of the one-way route along most of its length.

Click image to view the full map.
Outdoor Corner
We recently hosted a special "unloneliness" forest bathing walk with science journalist and author Florence Williams and FONA forest bathing guide Dr. Paul Jarris.

This walk emphasized how connecting with nature helps people heal from trauma and connect more deeply with others. The event was inspired by Florence's new book, Heartbreak: A Personal and Scientific Journey, and wove Florence's experience using nature to heal from heartbreak with Dr. Jarris' experience as a public health expert.

Florence graciously donated her time for this event to help fund our pay-what-you-can ticket model for our forest bathing program.
Join us for a forest bathing walk this spring or summer and let us guide you in disconnecting from the digital world and reconnecting with nature. Our suggested ticket price is $35, but please pay what you can to attend.
Spring Blooms
The National Arboretum is one of the best places to see cherry blossoms in DC. The Arboretum's wide diversity of cherry trees allows visitors to see blossoms of a variety of shapes and colors and experience peak bloom for longer. Plan your visit for a weekday to avoid the crowds.

Check out the Arboretum's self-guided cherry tour by downloading the Arboretum's mobile app (iOS or Android) or downloading the tour brochure.

Check out this Washington Post article to see other places you can enjoy cherry blossoms in the DC region.
From our Friends
Need a drink or snack during your visit this cherry season? Two local businesses right around the corner from the Arboretum are here for you:

Special Hours March 22-25, 9 AM - 1 PM
While this roastery is not usually open to the public, they'll be open during peak bloom to sell drip coffee and espresso drinks.

Saturdays 12 PM - 8 PM
Sundays 12 PM - 5 PM
This taproom has indoor and outdoor seating and is hosting food popups Saturday, March 19th and 26th.
FONA Events
“The Epic of Gilgamesh” Performance
Saturday, March 26th at 2 PM
Sunday, March 27th at 2 PM
The Academy at Shakespeare Theater Company presents "The Epic of Gilgamesh" in an outdoor performance in the Arboretum's Grove. This event is free but registration is required.
Native Plant Sale
Sunday, March 27th from 9 AM to 2 PM
Fill your garden with native plants from our vendors and get your garden questions answered by the plant experts. Registration is preferred but not required — let us know you're coming!
Off the Beaten Path Choral Performance
Wednesday, April 6th at 7 PM & 8:15 PM
Join the All Souls Choir for a night to remember under the stars at the National Arboretum. This strolling event will celebrate the bounties of DC in springtime, honoring the ancestors and the cycle of life of both flora and fauna. Registration is required — our suggested ticket price is $25 but please pay what you can to attend.
Join Our Team
We're looking for people to join our team! We are currently accepting applications for the following position:

This part-time position will help implement FONA’s venue rental program and other FONA events. Application closes March 21st.
Arboretum Activities
Attend the Arboretum's 35th Annual Lahr Native Plant Symposium on Saturday, March 26th from 9 AM to 3 PM. This virtual symposium brings together subject matter experts on ecological, botanical, and horticultural advancement. See the event flyer for full details and speaker line-up. Tickets are $75 (FONA members, remember to use your discount code).

The Arboretum is open every day from 8 AM to 5 PM except December 25th. Some buildings and collections remain closed to ensure visitor and staff safety.
Friends of the National Arboretum
3501 New York Ave NE
Washington, DC 20002
202.544.8733
FONA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization with the mission to preserve and enhance a vibrant public space and support experiential programming that instills a love of plants, nature and the outdoors in all who visit, while promoting the overarching research and education mission of the U.S. National Arboretum.

Since its inception, FONA has helped support the Washington Youth Garden, Capitol Columns, Flowering Tree Walk, horticultural and research internships, restoration of Springhouse Run, and much more.
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